The Allen Familyhttps://jessicadallen06.wordpress.com
living. loving. laughing. learning.
Mon, 19 Nov 2018 04:51:32 +0000 en
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1 http://wordpress.com/https://s0.wp.com/i/buttonw-com.pngThe Allen Familyhttps://jessicadallen06.wordpress.com
3Khttps://jessicadallen06.wordpress.com/2013/09/14/3k/
https://jessicadallen06.wordpress.com/2013/09/14/3k/#respondSat, 14 Sep 2013 02:09:10 +0000http://jessicadallen06.wordpress.com/?p=1888Every. Single. Day last year, I would drop Lane off at preschool and Bethany would cry “It’s my turn!” Baby girl waited (somewhat) patiently and finally last week she got her turn! Bethany started school the Wednesday after Labor Day. She woke up so excited! Her backpack and lunch box were ready, clothes ironed perfectly and she even sat like an angel and took first day of preschool pictures!

So excited!

It was almost the perfect morning. Look closely at the precious little dress she is wearing – cute, right? My mom gave Bethany that dress for Easter or her birthday. She has HATED that dress since the moment she laid eyes on it. Hated. Trust me when I say I am not exaggerating AT ALL. Every time I have tried to get her to wear that dress, she has turned into a crazy Hulk Hogan wanna-be and tried to literally tear it off her body. But the dress has remained strategically in her closet.

If you have a daughter, you know the joys of getting them dress. You iron the 5 million ruffles and then they try to refuse to wear the dress. So, being the gracious mother that I am, every time I pick out something for her to wear that she refuses I give her two clothing options: 1. the dress I picked out and iron 2. that flamingo dress. EVERY single time she choose the dress I picked out. Everyone’s happy. Off we go.

Well, that morning she threw a fit over the dress I picked out. So, I gave her the two options and she actually chose the flamingo dress. She loved it and told everyone it was her zoo dress! Haha. What a stinker! So, thanks Gigi for the first day of school outfit.

Baby girl got to school and had an amazing day. She came home talking about her new friend Audrey. For over a week that was the only friend she mentioned. Finally this week she has started talking about another friend at school, Benjamin. Her teachers are Mrs. Mindy (or as B says – Mrs. Minnie) and Mrs Holly (Mrs. HoYee). She loves them. School and the end of naptime are really wearing her out though!

She also started gymnastics this week and loved it. Well, as long as you don’t actually call it gymnastics. She is very adamant that she does NOT want to do gymnastics. She does want to flip, swing, roll and walk on a balance beam. Oh the drama.

When she is not being dramatic, she can do some of the sweetest, most precious things. Here is a video of her singing a song she learned in Spanish class at preschool.

Here is a video of her “reading” her Jesus Storybook Bible in carpool.

…and finally here is a video of her saying Psalm 4:8 (We say this verse before bedtime most nights)

Her teacher’s described her well: “Smart as a whip and such a ham!” Right now she is obsessed with Cinderella and Paw Patrol. She daily asks if she can be either Cinderella, Doc McStuffins, or Skye (the pilot on Paw Patrol). A Princess, A doctor and a Pilot.

]]>https://jessicadallen06.wordpress.com/2013/09/14/3k/feed/0jessicadallen0620130913-201118.jpg20130913-201130.jpg20130913-201141.jpg20130913-201156.jpg20130913-201056.jpg20130913-201048.jpgCalled me higherhttps://jessicadallen06.wordpress.com/2013/08/30/called-me-higher/
https://jessicadallen06.wordpress.com/2013/08/30/called-me-higher/#respondFri, 30 Aug 2013 02:38:55 +0000http://jessicadallen06.wordpress.com/?p=1882Music has always played a huge role in my life. I may not know the name of any song or of most artists but I can tell you the songs that meant the most to me during each season in my life. It’s as if the artist knew my very thoughts and emotions but expressed them in a much more beautiful way than I could have ever imagined.

With that in mind, I love to play worship music while I pray. Small groups launch this weekend (have you found yours?) so I have been praying over all the groups, and over each girl’s name that I know is coming to my group. I noticed that I turn my playlist on but seem to only let one song play.

As the song played I realized that usually what we think is the easiest thing to do turns out to be the hardest and the hardest thing usually turns out to be the easiest.

In the church, it seems that the easiest thing to do is to show up on Sunday starched and polished, smiling and talking about how very blessed we are. I can easily give the impression on social media that my life is perfect, my kids never misbehave – everything is wonderful all the time. But see that is really the hardest thing. It’s hard to keep up appearance and never let anyone into our real world. Wearing masks is exhausting.

On the other hand letting out walls down seems to be difficult, if not impossible. But I’ve learned that when I take the chance and develop relationships and finally let down my guard and share what I’ve struggled or am struggling with I’m usually met with an amazing response: I’ve been there. Or we are dealing with that right now too!

What?? You mean I’m NOT the only one with issues??

My pastor often says all God’s children have issues and if you don’t think you have issues, then THAT is your issue. Haha

But truthfully satan wants nothing more than for us to live life isolated because then we will buy into his lies. I love 2 Corinthians 1:3-4. Here’s my version of it: So you’ve got issues (sin, addictions, pain, disappointments) come to God, Let him heal you and restore you so that you can walk it out with your friend, co-worker, or neighbor struggling with the same junk. But see the hard part about that is that two people have to take their masks down and show their wounds. So this semester, be brave. be real. step out of your comfort zone and watch what the Lord will do. I’m excited and expectant because…

You have called us higher
You have called us deeper
And we’ll go where You will lead us Lord

]]>https://jessicadallen06.wordpress.com/2013/08/30/called-me-higher/feed/0jessicadallen06Friday Fivehttps://jessicadallen06.wordpress.com/2013/08/23/friday-five/
https://jessicadallen06.wordpress.com/2013/08/23/friday-five/#respondFri, 23 Aug 2013 15:15:39 +0000http://jessicadallen06.wordpress.com/?p=1860It’s Friday!! It’s the first Friday after school started which means my brain is scattered in many different directions – several if which I thought I’d share with you.

1. Bethany has developed a HUGE fear of toilets that flush automatically. So, my new mom role is to get her on and off the potty while standing just right so that it does not flush until I can get her out of the stall. I wish I could video this process but that would just be highly inappropriate. If I fail to get her out before it flushes, one might think someone was chasing her with a chain saw. It’s pitiful. Anyway I have developed a particularly unique skill over the past 2 weeks. Whenever I rejoin the workforce, I may even add that to my resume. Automatic toilet flushing preventer. Very impressive.

2. On a completely different note, my friends Catherine shared on her blog a couple weeks ago some ABC scripture cards she made for her kids. I love, love, love these! She got the idea here, but her cards have some shorter verses perfect for little ones. I am just now printing these out. Bethany especially loves learning verses and soaks it up like a sponge! Up until this point our scripture learning has been at best random. I’m excited to have some sort of plan to start. So, go check out this free resource if you’re interested.

4. Lane started soccer practice this week. It was hilarious and awkward.

We have some work to do this season. Our two focuses: personal space (he met the coach and within minutes was literally hanging on the mans leg. Not sure coach Billy knew what to think about all that love!) and follow the ball. Bless his heart. The coach would say “go to the goal!” And he would but not with the ball. But boy was IN THE GOAL. Maybe I need to let coach know my child takes everything literal.

5. Small groups launch this week and I’m so excited I can’t stand it! Small group launch is like Christmas to me because every semester I meet new friends and make new relationship that push me closer to Christ and challenge me like never before. I get excited because I know it’s somebody’s first small group semester and their life is about to change in ways they were not expecting! So, if you go to highlands register your group or join one!! Your life will never be the same. If you don’t go to highlands, do whatever your church does. Join a Sunday school class, a cell group, a Bible study – get in relationship!! You won’t regret it!

]]>https://jessicadallen06.wordpress.com/2013/08/23/friday-five/feed/0jessicadallen0620130823-155418.jpg20130823-155428.jpg20130823-155434.jpg20130823-201707.jpg20130824-071903.jpgKindergarten!!https://jessicadallen06.wordpress.com/2013/08/19/kindergarten/
https://jessicadallen06.wordpress.com/2013/08/19/kindergarten/#respondMon, 19 Aug 2013 19:58:08 +0000http://jessicadallen06.wordpress.com/?p=1829Somehow I blinked my eyes and now my baby has turned into a “big” kindergartener. Last night he was so excited he kept asking to try on his backpack “just ONE more time!”

We skipped naps yesterday hoping that he would be tired enough to fall asleep. Sometime around 9:30 pm we had to fuss at him to go stay in his bed and go to sleep. But in my heart I remember well how exciting the night before school is and I couldn’t help but be thankful that my “big boy” chose his only pair of footie pajamas to sleep in last night. It was such a sweet reminder that though he thinks he’s all grown up, he really is still a sweet baby boy.

Early this morning I woke him and he happily came out to eat breakfast. Then in his sweet groggy voice he said “it’s just SO early and SOOO bright!” Then it seemed like seconds later her was running circles around me ready to help pack his lunch and go to school!

He took the traditional first day of school pictures!

Then we took a picture in his class of 2026 shirt. I can’t wait to watch him grow into this shirt year after year. (Chris may have told me I was crazy while I was making this shirt. I assured him that I was allowed to be a little crazy, after all, I am sending my first born child to kindergarten!)

Today was early release and this momma was ready to pick him up at 1! I loved hearing him talk about much he already loves his new teacher and made lots of new friends (but he doesn’t know any of their names!). He loves everything about his new school and can’t wait to go back and do it all over again tomorrow!!

So tonight, we will go to Lane’s favorite restaurant, Don Pepe, and celebrate a wonderful first day of school! Tomorrow Lane gets to go back to school, then has a party for a new classmate, and he starts soccer too!! (Pray for his sweet teacher on Wednesday morning. Not sure if she’s taught a little zombie before, but I’m sure I will be dropping off one for her. I may need to send some more chocolate!)

]]>https://jessicadallen06.wordpress.com/2013/08/19/kindergarten/feed/0jessicadallen0620130819-144737.jpg20130819-144751.jpg20130819-144721.jpg20130819-144708.jpg20130819-144715.jpg20130819-144813.jpgWelcome to my crazyhttps://jessicadallen06.wordpress.com/2013/08/15/welcome-to-my-crazy/
https://jessicadallen06.wordpress.com/2013/08/15/welcome-to-my-crazy/#respondThu, 15 Aug 2013 13:06:56 +0000http://jessicadallen06.wordpress.com/?p=1788All summer long, I have genuinely been excited about Lane starting Kindergarten and even more excited about Bethany starting pre-school. Lane had THE BEST preschool experience last year. I know beyond all doubt that he is ready for kindergarten and I was honestly probably a little too excited about 12 WHOLE HOURS a week kid-free. I was starting to feel a little like a heartless mom what with all my planning and dreaming of reading a book without interruption, or cleaning a house and it actually staying clean for more than 15 minutes. Maybe I could even make a phone call without someone tapping on my leg or go to the bathroom with out someone squeezing their little fingers under the door to say hi! Just as I thought, this sending kids off to school for a couple hours a week will be nice – that’s when I noticed it.

See at some point during the past two weeks ago, I realized summer was almost over. I needed to start getting organized, buy backpacks and lunch boxes, sign Lane up for soccer, decide if Bethany would do gymnastics this year, iron the first 2 weeks worth of school clothes, get the house cleaned, figure out what I need for school lunches, decide if Lane would ride the bus or be a car rider….Is your head spinning? Mine was. At some point when I was frantically scrubbing baseboards, because you know you can’t start school without sparkling baseboards, I realized that I had jumped on to the crazy train.

Then, the next day I went to Lane’s school and got this precious little letter on cutesy little paper.

I was standing there listening to one of my sweet teacher friends tell me what a great teacher Lane had. I was smiling and nodding but my stomach was dropping lower and lower. I realized how real this whole kindergarten thing is. Blah. Then the roller coaster started. My best friend and I talk daily. Her daughter is starting big school this year too.

One day we are encouraging each other and reminding each other that they are ready. The next day we are telling stories about our babies when they actually were babies (though they will always be our babies). Yep this is my crazy.

I never realized until this week how hard it is to let go even if it is just the tinies bit. I am daily reminding myself that as a parent my goal is for my kids to move from being 100% dependent upon me to being 100% dependent upon the Lord. and in order for that transition to take place I have to let go some, As I let go some, my faith and trust in the Lord grows because I’m trusting the Lord’s protection over one of my most prized possessions.

and yes I do know its just Kindergarten and I’m not sending him off to war. Go back to the title. This is the crazy train I’ve been on the past week. Stopping between knowing kindergarten is a good thing and stopping the crazy station where I just want to keep him home with me forever and ever.

Change is good. and our new season starts in exactly 4 days ready or not.

]]>https://jessicadallen06.wordpress.com/2013/08/15/welcome-to-my-crazy/feed/0jessicadallen0620130815-074926.jpg20130815-074834.jpgbaby lanestickerlanebabylanecheflaneBethany latelyhttps://jessicadallen06.wordpress.com/2013/08/14/bethany-lately/
https://jessicadallen06.wordpress.com/2013/08/14/bethany-lately/#respondWed, 14 Aug 2013 08:00:51 +0000http://jessicadallen06.wordpress.com/?p=1756Bethany, I am loving you at this age and there is so much that you do daily that I never want to forget. Since I can’t video your every move, I thought I’d share some of my favorite things right now.

A couple of weeks ago, you were looking for some panties I set out. You had a hard time finding them, so when I showed you where I put them you said, “you cheeky little panties!” You have started using the phrase “you cheeky little …” quiet often. It cracks me up!

The other day Chris and I took you to the playground. You asked to play on the “climbing frame”. It took me forever to understand what you were saying and even then I didn’t get it. Then Chris translated it for me: monkey bars!

You sings ALL DAY LONG. Literally. This months songs of choice are B-I-N-G-O and The B-I-B-L-E. Sometimes you forget which song you are singing at the moment and blend the two.

You REFUSE to admit you have red hair. It actually makes you mad if I say you do. You will quickly tell me “NO, I have bown hair!”

You have started noticing words on signs, in books or trucks driving down the interstate. I’m not sure if you are actually reading a couple of words or if you have just fully grasped environmental print but you have “read” several words lately. The two coming to my mind right now are beach and school.

Speaking of, you are so ready for school to start. You are convinced school will be playtime, snack and bath time. I hope you still love school after you realize there is no bath time.

]]>https://jessicadallen06.wordpress.com/2013/08/14/bethany-lately/feed/0jessicadallen0620130814-071119.jpgThe Dewitt Twinshttps://jessicadallen06.wordpress.com/2013/08/13/the-dewitt-twins/
https://jessicadallen06.wordpress.com/2013/08/13/the-dewitt-twins/#respondTue, 13 Aug 2013 04:22:53 +0000http://jessicadallen06.wordpress.com/?p=1709For months, my family has talked and dreamed and guessed what my brother and sister-in-law were having. They decided not to find out the gender of their twins which might have driven me a little crazy. After all, how can a first-time aunt fully spoil these babies…There is only so much yellow and gray a girl can buy, right! But the time passed buy fairly quickly. Sara had a pretty uneventful pregnancy (exactly what everyone wants!) She made it until the twins were considered full term and went in Friday morning for a scheduled C-section. Perfect pregnancy!

I wasn’t able to go down Friday to be there when the babies were born, so I obsessively checked my phone for text. Then, FINALLY, a little after nine I got my mom’s text! My brother had just come out to announce the twins…

TWO GIRLS!!! EEEk!!! The overwhelming majority of us thought the twins were going to be a boy/girl combo. Several thought 2 boys, but almost no one thought two girls! Everyone was surprised. Both girls are perfectly healthy and beautiful.

Here are some pictures of Audrey Harper Dewitt. She is the older, wiser sister by all of 1 minute. She was born at 8:48 am at 5 lbs 12 oz and 18 inches long.

Next came Eva Lillian at 8:49am! The baby (but bigger) sister with the sweetest little cheeks. She weighed in at 6 lbs 14 oz and 20 inches long.

Lane and Bethany adore their new little cousins! (I can’t wait to watch these four run around and play together)

Here are just a couple more pictures of the beautiful baby girls!

]]>https://jessicadallen06.wordpress.com/2013/08/13/the-dewitt-twins/feed/0jessicadallen06jonathan20130812-091057.jpg20130812-091107.jpg20130812-091835.jpglane20130812-143055.jpggigichrismejonsarasaraandjone&a21 Dayshttps://jessicadallen06.wordpress.com/2013/08/08/21-days/
https://jessicadallen06.wordpress.com/2013/08/08/21-days/#respondThu, 08 Aug 2013 12:32:49 +0000http://jessicadallen06.wordpress.com/?p=1687This week started one of my favorite season at Highlands – 21 days of prayer. Twice a year the church body sets aside 21 days to focus on prayer (January is prayer and fasting). It is my very favorite time of year at church! Earlier this week I was in bed remembering past seasons. I’ve entered these times with many different emotions. I was at Highlands for a couple of years before I ever participated. I’ve had times when I was eager and excited to see what the Lord might do but I’ve also had times when I’ve entered the 21 days completely desperate for an answer and a move of God! I vividly remember times when I so desperately needed God to come through because on my own the problem or situation could not change. Times when it felt like the air was completely knocked out of me and I needed His fresh air to revive me.

Have you felt like this?

Maybe your marriage or finances are struggling? Or maybe a child or a loved one is spiraling out of control and needs help? Or maybe someone dear to you is literally fighting for their life, their health? Maybe you’re longing for a spouse or a child? Or mourning the loss of someone?

Whatever the situation, I think everyone comes to the point of desperately needing God to come to their rescue.

Over the summer, I was in a small group that studied Mark Batterson’s Draw the Circle, the prayer challenge that goes along with Circle Maker. (This book is amazing!! Get it if you haven’t read it!) Anyway, it talks about praying bold, audacious prayers because bold prayers honor God and God honors bold prayers. We only attribute the miracle to God, when God is the only one that could have made that miracle happen – make sense?

Anyway as I read the book, I realized that when I was praying those desperate prayers (or circling a prayer), that too often once I saw God moving and changing a situation my fervent, constant prayers turned into passionate once a day prayers and then turned into once a week prayers. I saw God moving and PRAISED Him and thanked Him and then slowed my prayers for those situations. The Lord showed me during the summer semester that I was settling for a partially answered prayer because the situation moved from bad to good rather than pressing in and continuing to circle my prayer until God completely answered my prayer.

But God is not just a good God – He is a great, almighty God.

God is a God of order and details. He knows and cares about every detail of my life (and yours!). His desire is not to give us an ok marriage or a “we’re makin’ in it” finances. He sent His Son that we “may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance (to the full, till it overflows).”

According to Webster, Abundance means an extremely plentiful or over sufficient quantity or supply; overflowing fullness.

There is nothing average or common about the life God desires to give us. There is no situation that is too big or too messed up that He can’t handle.

God can do anything, you know—far more than you could ever imagine or guess or request in your wildest dreams! Ephesians 3:20 msg

So this 21 days, I’m reminding myself never give up, never stop praying. Even when it looks like the situation is getting better, never slack off praying until the prayer has been answered entirely.

Is there anything you were praying diligently for and then for whatever reason stop or slacked off? Never give up. Never stop praying. We serve a faithful God.

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https://jessicadallen06.wordpress.com/2013/08/08/21-days/feed/0jessicadallen06THE Churchhttps://jessicadallen06.wordpress.com/2013/07/25/the-church/
https://jessicadallen06.wordpress.com/2013/07/25/the-church/#respondThu, 25 Jul 2013 04:33:00 +0000http://jessicadallen06.wordpress.com/2013/07/25/the-churchIt’s really no secret how much I love my church. But occasionally there are moments when I feel like my heart very well may explode at any given moment. Occasionally I step back and just watch – It’s a beautiful thing when you can watch the church be the church, love the church and build up the church. When pride and competition are out of the picture and all that is left is a common goal: to Love Jesus and make Him known among all nations.

Tonight we just finished up Day 2 of GROW, a conference specifically aimed to help churches under 1000 exceed 1000. Many of these churches are young church plants, but oh how these pastors and leaders are desperate for a move of God in their cities. It blows my mind that in one night I was able to talk to leaders from London, Tampa, Houston, Chicago and Idaho. I get the honor and privilege of telling them how small groups and serving on the dream team has literally CHANGED MY LIFE. Not in some fake cliché way, but authentically changed my life. My walk with the Lord is stronger than ever, I’ve learned how to pray bold audacious prayers, how to lead like Christ. I’ve learned the importance of having a mentor, accountability partner, and mentee. We were never meant to do life alone! I’ve learned to dream God-size dreams. My relationships from small groups literally saved my marriage. My life is noticeably different – I pray my life is noticeably different.

So the fact that I get to share even the tiniest bit with these pastors about the heartbeat and the DNA of our church is such an honor. I am literally watching global missions take place under one roof . {What other setting are you able to serve for such a short time period and touch people from so many different places!} These pastors are being trained, equipped, encouraged, and prayed over and they are going to go back to their churches and change the world. Because the local church mobilized is the hope of the world.

One of the things I love about this week every summer is watching all these churches come together. When you boil it all down, church isn’t about us. It’s about reaching the lost. God is distracted by the lost. He loves seeing his kids gather to worship, but his heart is breaking for those still away from home. So as a church, it’s our responsibility to steward well (not hoard!) the resources the Lord has given us in order to leverage them in such a way to reach more people. It is so exciting to be able to freely give everything we have to these churches and then watch as the Lord blesses and used them to reach areas we would never be able to impact.

So tonight my heart is full. THE church is a beautiful thing. I’m praying that each church represented would experience fresh vision and passion this week. That the Lord would show them unprecedented favor and when it’s all said and done millions will come to know Jesus as their personal savior.

]]>https://jessicadallen06.wordpress.com/2013/07/25/the-church/feed/0jessicadallen0621 questions with Bethanyhttps://jessicadallen06.wordpress.com/2013/07/23/21-questions-with-bethany/
https://jessicadallen06.wordpress.com/2013/07/23/21-questions-with-bethany/#respondTue, 23 Jul 2013 14:00:00 +0000http://jessicadallen06.wordpress.com/2013/07/23/21-questions-with-bethanyToday I asked Bethany the same 21 questions I asked Lane. Her answers cracked me up. Some were exactly what I thought she would say. Others were SO random!

What is your favorite color?

pink

What is your favorite t.v. show?

Doc McStuffins(I thought she would have said Peppa Pig)

What is your favorite Movie?Leap Frog

What is your favorite toy?

carrots

(Maybe she means picnic? I’m not completely sure. I thought she would have said her doctor kit, trains or Dora house)

What is your favorite game?

dinosaurs(Again, random. I thought she would have said Hide & Seek or Pop the Pig)

What is your favorite animal?

Elephant

What is your favorite song?

The Mommy Song (random, but she makes up a new song everyday and today it’s the mommy song)

What is your favorite book?

Peppa Pig

What is your favorite food?

carrots(Really it would be strawberries, any kind of rice, cereal, honey and chips)

What is your favorite holiday?

Church(I guess every Sunday is a holiday at Highlands? )

What is your favorite sport or activity?

gymnastic (we’ve been talking about starting gymnastics when school starts)